Reflection on Blogging: advantages and drawbacks

“Reflection on blogging: advantages and drawbacks”

As the internet availability and integration has been increased in our life, the educators saw potential benefit from it, and started to use as a teaching tool (Zhang, 2009). The application of blog writing into academic purposes of English learning enables students to write with meaningful ideas, updated information and broaden their language learning ability beyond the classroom (Blackstone et al, 2007). However, as it is common knowledge that any medal has two sides, the blogging approach also has negative and positive effects towards academic language learning. As matter of my experience of writing posts and comments at blog platform, I will attempt to discuss the both advantages and drawbacks of it.

Many authorsargue that teachers could enhance shy and introvert students’ confidence and motivationtowards writing and expressing their thoughts on posts through the help ofblogging approach. But it was beneficial and useful for secondary school students. As for senior learners, Zhang (2009) discovered what exactly makes blogging unique and simple approach. Firstly, blogging does not require specific knowledge in IT or computer skills, secondly it is a secure space, open and equal to everyone without any discrimination by race or gender. Also, blogging teaches to write meaningful ideas by boosting the self-analyzing skills and reflective learning and thinking. Blog also teaches to carry a big responsibility to what he/she writes in a public place with both academic and non-formal communication language.  

I agree with all above-mentioned statements that blogging enhances students’ learning fast and excitingly. Moreover, I can claim that in comparison with the last semester my confidence in reflective writing has increased. I also cultivate my worldview towards bringing up interesting topics to the audience and encourage them to comment and give feedback to my posts. According to the survey, more than half of the students agreed that they spent more time by planning the post and choosing the topic, which means that blog writing requires serious intention and responsibility to address the particular issue to the audience in an appropriate ways (Montgomery, 2015).

Besides, 47% of students responded that they are eager to get comments and feedback from their peers, which means that blog, encourages the involvement of both writer and audience to communication.

Unfortunately, human beings are diverse. If some of us are up to share new ideas and personal experience in a public platform, some of us might feel fear or reluctant to get their thoughts read by other people. That is why there is a potential risk to some introvert individuals’ privacy.  Another problem is, some sensitive and controversial topics discussed in the blogs might generate some misunderstanding and affect to some people’s worldview and perceptions. As the survey analysis indicate that, more people are strongly disagree than strongly agree to discuss controversial themes. The other problem is that blogging is mostly non-formal and non-traditional writing. Some students might be unwilling to replace traditional academic writing to informal posts. Survey shows that 40% of respondents prefer academic writing and only 25% are keen to write posts.

Summing up, I can say that blogging has multifold effect to learning, and two-sided impact to individuals’ self-development. It seems that no negative or positive side can overweigh one another, that is why it is core to use blogging as a tool of teaching. In addition, the further research and investigation of phenomenological effect of blog to learning should be employed.  

References:

Blackstone, B., Spiri, J., & Naganuma, N. (2007). Blogs in English language teaching and learning: Pedagogical uses and student responses. Reflections on English Language Teaching, 6(2), 1-20.

Montgomery, P. (2015) Survey analysis.

Zhang, D. (2009). The application of blog in English writing. Journal of Cambridge studies, 4(1), 64-72.